Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ryanair has submitted a number of remedies to the European Commission explaining how it proposes to get around any competition concerns. It is certainly not the case that the Commission would allow it to take over Aer Lingus just like that. Ryanair would have to give up quite a lot of routes, either Aer Lingus or Ryanair routes, to other airlines from overseas in order to reintroduce competition. It will be up to the Commission to determine whether it considers the remedies being put forward by Ryanair to be adequate. It is the policy of the Government to have as much competition as possible on routes in and out of Ireland. We do not wish to return to a situation where we have a monopoly provider of any sort in the airline business.

With regard to today's Cabinet discussion, a memo was discussed, but I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on it. One or two matters must be clarified and the issue must be discussed with some people. An announcement will be made in the near future. I am pleased Shannon is adding North American routes next year, to both Philadelphia and Chicago. Its ability to set its own charges again, if it is separated, will assist it in securing new business, which will be a positive for the airport. The 2004 Act, which was introduced by Fianna Fáil, always envisaged that Aer Rianta International would remain part of what was then the Aer Rianta Group, now DAA. That remains the case. The Act also requires that whatever happens, both entities must be viable. Shannon must be viable and the remaining DAA must be viable. For Shannon Airport to retain Aer Rianta International and have its debt written off, would bring the viability of both Dublin Airport and Cork Airport into question. It was never going to be a case that Shannon would get both a debt write-off and retain Aer Rianta International. Indeed, that is envisaged in the 2004 Act.

See this speech in context